Like archaeologists, Jesus digs deep beyond the surface to find hidden treasures – the things that are eternal (II Cor 4:18)! VBS July 16-20

"The Devotion of a Passionate Heart " “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness” "The Devotion of a Passionate Heart " “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness” MONDAY –Treasure One

TUES – TREASURE TWO "The Tears of a Loving Heart " “Blessed are those who mourn.”

Wed: TREASURE THREE "The Greatness of a Humble Heart ” “Blessed are the meek..”

THURS: TREASURE FOUR "The Actions of a Tender Heart" “Blessed are the merciful..”

FRI: TREASURE FIVE "The Gift of a Generous Heart " “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”

JULY 15, :30 p.m. Intro to the Beatitudes JULY 15, :30 p.m. Intro to the Beatitudes VBS July 16-20

The Prologue Matt 5: Three points... “When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. 2 He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying..”

The Sermon on the Mount

Why on a Mount? Moses delivered “the law” –Mt. Sinai

Jesus delivers the “new law” of the kingdom. Jn 1:17 “The law was given by Moses but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”

Contrasts with Old Testament This was not a Holy mountain (Zion) because there is no special holy place in the kingdom! “When the law was given the Lord came down upon the mountain, now the Lord ‘went up’ into one; then He spoke in thunder and lightening, now in a still small voice; then the people were ordered to keep their distance, not they are invited to draw near – a blessed change!” Matthew Henry

Why Sitting? Custom: “I sat daily with you teaching in the temple.” Mt 26:55 Royal authority. King on the throne, the judge upon the bench. At end: “The people were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one having authority.” (Mt 7:28-29).

“Opened His Mouth and Taught” Ezek 33:22-23 “Now the hand of the Lord was upon me and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb; then the word of the Lord came to me.” Paul: “I pray that the utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” Eph 6:18-19 Not ordinary, but God breathed and a matter of deepest weight and importance. Ezek 33:22-23 “Now the hand of the Lord was upon me and my mouth was opened, and I was no more dumb; then the word of the Lord came to me.” Paul: “I pray that the utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel.” Eph 6:18-19 Not ordinary, but God breathed and a matter of deepest weight and importance.

The Sermon on the Mount “The Key to whole Bible, for here the Christ opens up the sum of the Old and New Testaments.” W. Perkins The Constitution of the Kingdom and the Beatitudes is the preamble Beatitudes: Declaration of Dependence Rest of NT is an outgrowth of these foundational principles! The Sermon on the Mt is the essence of Christ’s teaching and the beatitudes is the essence of the essence! “The Key to whole Bible, for here the Christ opens up the sum of the Old and New Testaments.” W. Perkins The Constitution of the Kingdom and the Beatitudes is the preamble Beatitudes: Declaration of Dependence Rest of NT is an outgrowth of these foundational principles! The Sermon on the Mt is the essence of Christ’s teaching and the beatitudes is the essence of the essence!

The Beatitudes 3 " Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. 5 "Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. 6 "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

The Beatitudes 7 "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. 8 "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. 9 "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. 10 "Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

American needs desperately to heed American has so many things, but it is not a happy place! All these addictions and distractions rushing in to fill the void! We want desperately to be “happy” but are not possessing it! Tragic error—seeking happiness through outer circumstances instead of inner strength and resources. American has so many things, but it is not a happy place! All these addictions and distractions rushing in to fill the void! We want desperately to be “happy” but are not possessing it! Tragic error—seeking happiness through outer circumstances instead of inner strength and resources.

The Keys: Real Happiness is not based upon what a person has or does – but what he/she is. JC teaches people how to BE, how to have the RIGHT STATE OF MIND (ATTITUDE) believing that happiness would be the Byproduct. Happiness should not be sought after directly. Stop trying to be happy, start trying to be!

Blessed are… Think: “How fortunate...” This state of existence … realities.. conducive to peace of mind (joy). Key to experiencing God’s reign in your life! IT IS A MATTER OF LIFE AND DEATH! Matt 7:24-27 (Sand vs. Rock!)

Invitation Trying to find happiness in “things?” Trying to find happiness in yourself? TRUST IN GOD!